Competitiveness of transport universities: prospects of entering international ratings

Abstract

The paper presents an analysis of methodology of international university ratings. A definition, an evaluation of connection between the position of Russian universities in the ratings and such key indicators as the share of the organisation’s income from all sources per one student and average number of students per one educational and research employee, and modelling of positions of transport universities in international institutional ratings (in case entrance criteria are met) are provided. For data analysis, functions in the shape of a linear additive model and a non-linear multiplicative model were formulated. The results obtained allow for the conclusion that a high degree of interdependence exists between the aforementioned variables: the position in the rating is the higher the higher is the income per one student and the lower the student to educational and research employee ratio. Results of application of expert evaluations also make significant influence on the force of correlational relationship and the final place of a university in international ratings. With the current income base and the student to educational and research employee ratio have low chances of entering the lists of the world’s top 500 best educational organisations.